Homily
for July 7, 2017
The
call of Matthew the tax collector is a pointer to the fact that God does not
judge people based on appearance or what they do but the heart.
To
everyone else, Matthew seemed like the worst sinner in town, they even questioned
Jesus’ rationale for sitting at table with Matthew and his fellow tax
collectors. But there was something Jesus saw in Matthew that was not all that
visible to those who judged him.
Yes,
he was a tax collector at the time of his call but he never remained a tax
collector. Instead, being that he was educated, he used his education fully in
the service of the mission.
In
the end, this same Matthew became one of the greatest Evangelists of all time. As
the author of one of the Gospels, Matthew still contributes to the spread of
the Christian Faith today.
God
can use anybody. As St. Paul teaches us: “God chose what is foolish in the
world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the
strong, God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are
not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in
the presence of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:27-29
Am
I the kind of righteous person Jesus is referring to when he said he did not
come to call the righteous but sinners? Am I full of myself? Do I judge and
condemn others because I feel I am better than them spiritually? Do I see
myself as complete while all others are lacking?
Like
the servant who Abraham trusted with the task of finding the right kind of
woman for Isaac his son, Matthew played his part in obedience and service to
God Almighty. To be fishers of men, we must be willing to obey God’s voice
without questioning.
Let
us pray: Lord Jesus, make me a shining light to spread the Kingdom of God
everywhere. Amen.
*Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith.
It is well with you. God bless you. (Friday of the 13th Week in
Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Genesis 22:1-4.19;24:1-8,62-67 and Matthew 9:9-13).*
Fr. Abu.
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